Photos: Local photographer takes you inside abandoned ‘train wreck’ that looks like a horror movie

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio– Local photojournalist Seph Lawless is revealing photos that he says resembles “an apocalyptic train wreck.”

Lawless, known for documenting abandoned places all over the world including here in Northeast Ohio, said he most recently discovered the site, which is buried deep in the middle of woods in Jefferson County, Ohio.

A man who lives in the area told Lawless it’s referred to as ‘The Trolley Tragedy of 1957;’ that is now the title of Lawless’ new book. The man also told Lawless that folklore in the area is that the site is haunted. Lawless described the experience as something straight out of an apocalyptic horror movie. The Cleveland-area photographer said he’s now working with the popular AMC TV show ‘The Walking Dead.’ He said the show is looking into possibly using the site as a filming location.

LINK TO HIS TRAIN PHOTOS

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Clearly a junk yard, not a wreck site.

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http://mynewsla.com/crime/2015/07/12/union-pacific-train-fire-in-riverside-affecting-l-a-rail-traffic/

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That would be a siding. Most Canadian main lines are double tracked these days, so passing sidings are rarely needed, unless track work is underway. In addition, we built so much track in the first half of the 20th century that even where main lines are single, there is probably an alternate route between any two major points. The alternate may be a bit longer, but that is better than letting a train sit. Rail freight in Canada is usually not time sensitive. That stuff goes by truck or by air.

BNSF has successfully completed their new dual main in the local area. They now can have twice as many trains in the same space staring at the red board!

Here is a little more on the "Why are they turning that train."

Spotted last week 90368, possibly the tattiest piece of Amtrak rolling stock in public service.



It is of course a "cabbage" or cab - baggage and whilst not having a prime mover can control the loco at the other end. So why is it being turned?

Ah well you say that is because they want 90368 pointing a certain way. Yes very good, except same train a few days later.



Notice it is now pointing in the other direction add yet it is still being turned, confused, I am!!

Having found out about this site https://www.heritageunits.com/ which allows you to see where all the "heritage units" are, both freight and Amtrak, it also lists the whereabouts of the NS Business train that was the object of a previous discussion, you can also look to see where it has been and it was indeed the one that I missed passing through Chesterton. It also list the two Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus trains, which are on continuous tour of the US. The Blue train is currently in Houston TX and the Red train in LA, when moving they are apparently quite a sight.

I was able to track one of the heritage units and catch it passing Chesterton




NS 1069 Virginian, hopefully with the new site I will be able to catch a few more.

One of the west coast EMD F59PHI's has been at Beech Grove for a major overhaul apparently and came in on Friday on the Hoosier.



454 looking clean and shiny, I assume it will head west soon.

Today saw an ignominious end for the City of New Orleans journey to Chicago, it was running very late which is unusual, however when it arrived all was revealed.



202 towed in by a little GP38-2 which while it says CN is really Grand Trunk Western 5858.

Slightly better view as it reverses into Chicago, you can see the GTW under the number.



Finally what could be nicer on a sunny Sunday afternoon in July than to head west in you own private accommodation.



Iowa Pacific PV on route to SF via the California Zephyr yesterday.

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It is of course a "cabbage" or cab - baggage and whilst not having a prime mover can control the loco at the other end. So why is it being turned?

Ah well you say that is because they want 90368 pointing a certain way. Yes very good, except same train a few days later.

Because Amtrak is so proud of its fine condition, they want to be sure it passes the entire length of the platform twice so all passengers can see its stunning beauty! as they board and depart.

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Caltrans might own that West Coast unit, if it's from California, Amtrak just crews the train here.

That looks like the Pacific Surfliner, which is owned by Caltrans and run by Amtrak.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Surfliner

All Pacific Surfliner trains are pulled by Amtrak-owned locomotives. Amtrak maintains a dedicated fleet of 15 EMD F59PHI locomotives painted to match the livery of the "Surfliner" cars. Locomotives from the long-distance fleet are often used, including the P42DC.

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Caltrans might own that West Coast unit, if it's from California, Amtrak just crews the train here.

That looks like the Pacific Surfliner, which is owned by Caltrans and run by Amtrak.

Yes it is and only comes east for major overhauls at Amtrak's Beech Grove Indianapolis site. Which is why is is unusual to see it in Chicago.

Just waiting to see if and when it returns west.

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Oh, I think the USA still has some.
https://goo.gl/maps/KC3vQ
Hope this google earth map link works.

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Canada had lots and lots back in the day as well. A few remain in museums, like this one just north of Edmonton. We stopped using them for the same reason everybody else did: expensive to maintain, and can't turn a whole cut of cars.

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Just surprised no one has commented upon that heavy iron
https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/5540828
sitting there partly under some tarps.

It's obviously been there for some time and I'm curious if anyone has the story.

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Bernie, this talk of turntables has got me thinking about your mysterious turning train. Maybe they are not concerned about which engine is where, but are actually turning the entire train. This means the cars arrive at a station on the return trip in the same order as on the inbound trip. Baggage car always first, first class car always last, etc.

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Bernie, this talk of turntables has got me thinking about your mysterious turning train. Maybe they are not concerned about which engine is where, but are actually turning the entire train. This means the cars arrive at a station on the return trip in the same order as on the inbound trip. Baggage car always first, first class car always last, etc.

Well yes that would at first glance seem to be a logical answer.

However the trains concerned are both short routes(relatively speaking) and do not have baggage cars. They do have Cafe cars so that might be the reason, however the one in the pic I posted appeared to have one at either end.

Of course none of that can apply to the train with 90368 on, The Pere Marquette 370/371 which runs from Chicago to Grand Rapids MI, it appears to be turned every time despite have cabs at both ends and being the opposite way round in the second pic. Just to explain that. Train arrives Chicago with P42 and Cafe car at terminus end, turn train, next time it arrives 90368 is on terminus end, turn train!! In reality that just makes no sense.

However I guess there must be a reason.

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However I guess there must be a reason.

Time in service rule? Two trips = time to change crew?

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Offered without comment.

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I can't help myself:

"That kind of looks like my home town....."

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I don't think I can laugh, only cry. I'm sure that is exactly what the manual says to do also!

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At least they'd be on the spot for any accident that they cause. ;-)

Cheers.

Do we know which fire dept it was?

Well it looks like a twit, er sorry tweet.

So you could probably find it on twitter.

PS gratuitous shot of a cabbage

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I found the picture on Facebook, the poster claims the photo was taken recently in Belgium.

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